Stock image compiled from INQUIRER file photos
MANILA, Philippines — Interior Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla on Wednesday told mayors to conduct inspections of establishments even after issuing occupancy permits.
He explained that this is because illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogos) began disguising their businesses as resorts and restaurants to evade detection ahead of the deadline of their operations.
Remulla made the pronouncement after Senator Risa Hontiveros asked him what the Department of Interior and the Local Government (DILG) would do under his leadership to ensure that all Pogos would be shut down by the end of the year.
According to him, some illegal Pogo hubs have begun applying for permits for resorts and restaurants to evade authorities.
He cited an incident in Lapu-Lapu City where an unlawful Pogo hub posing itself as a restaurant and a hotel was raided by authorities.
“I believe it transferred the one in Porac and hid there in Lapu-Lapu. So it is really up to a lot of the mayors that when they issue occupancy permits, they have to inspect the premises and make sure that what it is intended for is what’s happening,” said Remulla.
READ: Suspected Pogo hub in Lapu-Lapu City raided
When asked about scam hubs operating without even bothering to apply for business permits, Remulla responded that these illegal operations would then be under the function of the Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigations’ special units.
During his third State of the Nation Address in July, President Bongbong Marcos Jr. ordered the ban of all Pogos in the Philippines.
He then ordered Pagcor to wind down and seize the operations of these firms by the end of the year.
But early Wednesday, Hontiveros flagged that there is now an “alarming trend” of emerging guerrilla scam operations, allegedly taking over the presence of Pogos in the country.
READ: Hontiveros warns vs emerging guerrilla scam operations